…cite lack of proper animal health documentation

SEVERAL passengers who travelled on domestic flights to the Eugene F. Correia International Airport in recent weeks have expressed shock at the action of authorities there who have euthanised and burned several dogs brought to the port from hinterland locations.
A passenger reported several days ago that the airport authorities “cruelly” killed and burnt three dogs which were brought out from the border location of Eteringbang to Ogle.

Reports are that the passenger had presented the relevant documents which indicated that the animals had been inspected across the border in Venezuela, but the officials at Ogle informed the passenger that there was no other option but to “put-down” the animals. The action was taken since the papers presented were written in Spanish and could not be translated and the passenger was informed that the documents were not issued by a veterinary doctor at Eteringbang. It remains unclear if there are any such health inspectors at any hinterland airstrip, including those near the country’s borders.

“They also said the dog couldn’t go back because it would have to land in Venezuela,” the passenger’s relative reported. Two weeks ago, a similar situation had occurred; this time the animals were reportedly brought from another Region Seven aerodrome. The owner of the animal was upset that the airport officials took a decision to euthanise his dog which was raised in the interior location. The animal was later burnt.

It is unclear whether there is an operational animal health quarantine unit at the Ogle Airport and calls to the numbers provided for airport officials and Ogle Airport Inc which manages the airport, went unanswered in recent days.
On Saturday, officials at the Guyana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (GSPCA) on Robb Street expressed surprise at the information. It was noted that the “cruel” measures adopted by the management of the airport did not conform to a 72-hour time period within which the owner of domesticated or terrestrial animals are given to provide the necessary documentation on the health status of animals. In that time period, the animals are expected to be quarantined.

According to the Animal Health Act 2011, under Import Permit and Border Inspections, upon inspection by an authorised officer, where he/she is satisfied that the import of the shipment would result or is likely to result in the introduction or spread in Guyana of a vector or a prescribed disease, or where the documentation accompanying the shipment fails to meet the prescribed requirements, several measures are implemented at the expense of the importer.
These include the taking of samples for submission to an official laboratory for analysis, transfer of the animal to a quarantine station or any other location identified by the Authority for testing or disinfection, return to the country of origin; or destruction.

The Act also states that by order of an authorised officer, any terrestrial animal (any mammal, bird or bees) may be placed under quarantine in a quarantine station where the authorised officer suspects that the animal is suffering from a prescribed disease.
In addition, the Act states that every terrestrial animal which is imported, unless exempted by virtue of regulations or subject to a different order of the Authority shall upon being landed be placed in quarantine for such period and be subject to such conditions as may be prescribed.

Animal rights activists told this publication last week that the enforcement of the Act appears cruel, with no measures being in place to test the animals or to translate documents brought by travelling passengers from hinterland locations near the country’s borders. It was noted too that with the absence of veterinary personnel at hinterland airstrips, the passenger is placed in a disadvantaged position. In addition, the lack of a public awareness campaign on the implementation of animal health measures was also raised.